A FORMER Tynedale resident who racked up nearly £4,000 in council tax debt at her Stamfordham address has been handed a prison sentence.

Julie Elliott (40) who now lives in Westerhope but was formerly of Brewery Close, Stamfordham, was brought before North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 29.

She was already subject to a suspended prison sentence for failing to pay council tax, which was found to be due to her culpable neglect at an earlier hearing.

She had since failed to adhere to at least four Magistrates’ Court orders for payment.

Brought before the court on a warrant last week, the court heard that Elliott still owed £3,800 for various periods for when she lived in Stamfordham.

The court found that Elliott had not shown good cause for non-payment and activated the suspended sentence immediately. She was sent to prison for 69 days.

After the hearing, Councillor Dave Ledger, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “The council has a duty to its paying residents to take action against those who will not pay.

“We are under ever increasing financial pressures and have no alternative but to bring council tax defaulters to court in order to ensure payment is received for essential local services.

“Whilst sending someone to prison is a rare occurrence and will usually only happen in the worst cases, it can and will happen.”

If a resident finds themselves in genuine difficulty with the payment of their council tax, they are urged to contact the council’s Recovery Team on (01670) 624886 to discuss payment.

Similarly, if a council tax payer is in receipt of low income then there are reductions available through the council tax reduction scheme and they should contact the Benefits Team on 0345 600 6400.